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A home-care business can prove to be a profitable enterprise. As insurance company rules reduce the number of days patients are eligible to stay in the hospital following a procedure and as the population continues to age, more and more people will require home-care services. As you build your business, continue to look for ways to expand and boost sales.

1.

Create a short, two- or three-minute script that best describes your business and the quality of service you provide, sometimes referred to as an elevator speech. By being able to succinctly describe your company, you can deliver a sales pitch anywhere and everywhere. Tell everyone you know about your business; talk it up among friends, at parties, in line at the grocery store and through your family.

2.

Develop a menu of services and offer them on an a la carte basis. According to David Goodman, president of Companion Connection Senior Care, many of the larger home-care service companies only offer a bulk of services and don't give clients the opportunity to choose just those services they most need. Clients can save money by purchasing only those most-pertinent services. They'll appreciate your cooperation and provide you with plenty of referrals.

3.

Add services that might not be offered by larger companies that could make your business more attractive to wealthier clients. For example, provide hot prepared meals, offer to go grocery shopping, take clients' pets to the vet or any other convenience services they might need. Pair up with a cleaning service to provide one-stop shopping for clients who need more than just home care.

4.

Offer clients an incentive for referrals. Your best form of advertising is word of mouth and by offering current, satisfied customers a discount, a gift or a free service, you encourage them to talk you up to their friends and families.

5.

Provide your caregivers with incentives as well for bringing in new business. Set up a form of commission that your staff can earn when they bring in new clients or they bring you referrals that turn into paying customers. The caregivers you hire are on the front lines and spend the most time with clients. They are in the best position to learn about new opportunities in the marketplace. The boost in pay they can earn is another tool you can use to retain competent staff, too.

Things Needed

Elevator speech

A la carte menu

Feedback forms

Tips

Use contacts you've made in the medical field to find out which organizations you might be able to get involved in. Try to get a seat on a board of directors for a nonprofit group that medical professionals support. Join a professional medical association in your area that allows support businesses in as members. Volunteer to work on committees and to sit on subcommittees to build a stronger network to which you can look for referrals.

Set up a feedback system and monitor your caregivers closely to ensure your clients consistently receive top-quality care. Call clients personally to check on their satisfaction with the services you're providing. Send clients feedback forms shortly after they first sign on with your company. No matter how good you get at marketing, if you develop a reputation for poor or unreliable service, your sales will suffer.

References (2)

About the Author

Linda Ray is an award-winning journalist with more than 20 years reporting experience. She's covered business for newspapers and magazines, including the "Greenville News," "Success Magazine" and "American City Business Journals." Ray holds a journalism degree and teaches writing, career development and an FDIC course called "Money Smart."

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Ray, Linda. "How to Boost Sales in a Small Home-Care Business." Small Business - Chron.com, http://smallbusiness.chron.com/boost-sales-small-homecare-business-22712.html. Accessed 14 August 2018.

Ray, Linda. (n.d.). How to Boost Sales in a Small Home-Care Business. Small Business - Chron.com. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/boost-sales-small-homecare-business-22712.html

Ray, Linda. "How to Boost Sales in a Small Home-Care Business" accessed August 14, 2018. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/boost-sales-small-homecare-business-22712.html

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